Barbara Boxer: “I am so pleased that the National Defense Authorization Act includes important reforms to article 32 of the Uniform Code…”

“I am so pleased that the National Defense Authorization Act includes important reforms to article 32 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, UCMJ, which are based on an amendment I authored with Senator Graham. I thank Senator Graham for working with me on this issue. I also thank Chairman Levin and Ranking Member Inhofe for working so closely with us. Without their support, these critical reforms would not have been incorporated into this bill. These reforms will help end the abusive and invasive questioning of sexual assault victims during pretrial article 32 proceedings. Article 32 proceedings are the military's equivalent of preliminary hearings in the civilian criminal justice system. However, article 32 proceedings have become their own trials where the defense counsel can harass and intimidate sexual assault victims and ask questions that would never be permitted in civilian courts. No victim should ever have to endure this type of abuse. Our military justice system should encourage sexual assault victims to report these crimes and pursue justice by prosecuting perpetrators. Tragically, the article 32 process does just the opposite.…”